Chelsea may need to win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s Champions League. They should be able to pull off a convincing win at Malmo and bring some semblance of order to this month.
If ever there has been a game where defeat is unthinkable, this is it. There is no shame in losing to Manchester City (the shame comes from the “6,” not the “L”). But losing to Malmo would be an on-the-spot sackable offence, which is probably why Bruce Buck made the trip to Sweden. Either that or he just needs some factory-direct modular furniture. In any event, our writers predict Buck will not have to do any dirty work after the game.
Scott Brant: Malmo 0 – 3 Chelsea. Chelsea BETTER come out and destroy Malmo. It won’t fully get the taste of defeat out of my mouth, but a win may take my mind off it for a bit. Expect to see stellar performances from some of the younger players who hopefully get a start – looking at you, Callum Hudson-Odoi. A goal from a forward, midfielder and defender.
Gabe Henderson: 1 – 4. Did Chelsea get mauled by Bournemouth and Manchester City lately? Yup. Do I expect them to toy with a bunch of “Tickle Me Malmo” dolls? Yup. Realistically, the Europa League is the only shot the Blues have at a Champions League position. This competition should take priority and Chelsea should field a strong XI – including Callum Hudson-Odoi. In the end, another comfortable rebound and some breathing room.
Barrett Rouen, nihilist: Who cares. Everything sucks. Someone will score it doesn’t matter if they do. The great shame has happened and we probably didn’t learn anything. I couldn’t care less.
Rupert Meadows: 1 – 2. Nervous game at times, but Chelsea just about pull through. Not sure about Malmo getting a goal but I don’t think the Blues will put more than two past them, unless the youngsters get good minutes and turn up in a big way.
Abhishek Pancholi: 1 – 2. After the midweek humbling in Manchester, it’s squeaky bum time for Maurizio Sarri. Unfortunately for the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the six goal shellacking may have also put a hold on their involvement in the competition.
Chelsea will start the game angry, like a guy who gets ticked off by his boss at work, comes home and kicks the dog in frustration. Sadly, kicking the dog does not have the same effect when you’re covered in face paint and wearing clown shoes. That means Malmo will take the lead, courtesy of Sideshow Bob stepping on a rake en route to his post, which he’d abandoned five minutes earlier. That will make Chelsea angrier and they’ll respond by racking up 500 passes in front of the Malmo box until the home side gives up a goal, just to make it stop.
Late in the game, Willian will score the winner from a long, err, Sarriball from Sideshow Bob. And then we can all go home to wash our eyes with bleach.
Kevin Peacock: 1 – 2. This game will be an uncomfortable watch for Chelsea fans. No matter, It’s becoming the norm right now. Four consecutive away defeats without scoring is unacceptable, as far as supporters are concerned. You would expect the Chelsea players to react and they probably will, but a win in Malmo will only paper over cracks that are growing bigger by the day.
However, this competition is a route into the Champion’s League and it could be the club’s best chance. Chelsea will stumble to a narrow win with goals from Big Hig and Little Kante.